10-Year-Old Girl Marijuana Arrest: Handcuffed at Elementary School, Expelled
A 10-year-old girl was handcuffed and arrested at her elementary school after officials discovered the she was carrying marijuana.
The 10-year-old girl, whose name was not given due to the fact that she is a minor, was arrested at Evans elementary school on Tuesday in El Paso County, Colorado, according to reports.
An El Paso County Sheriff's Office spokesperson told local news stations that the girl was arrested and handcuffed before being handed over to her parents. The girl was found in possession of marijuana. She stated that she brought it to school after a classmate told her to do it.
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The marijuana belonged to the girl's father, who had been issued it due to health issues. The father told KRDO that he had been prescribed the marijuana in order to help treat chronic pain, restless leg syndrome and ADHD. He told police that his daughter stole the marijuana from his locked room after she had been warned never to touch it.
The school was located in Falcon District 49. School officials responded to the incident by expelling the 10-year-old from the school. A spokesperson for the district stated that all of the schools had a zero tolerance policy towards marijuana, "regardless" of the fact that it was prescribed for a medical condition.
"She told her dad that she understands what she did was wrong and she said she plans to try to make things right," KRDO reported. The 10-year-old was also issued a court date in December.
The arrest sparked a debate amongst some, who argued that the young girl was not aware of what she was doing.
"Like that little 10 yr Old knew better. Handcuff a 10 yr Old - Come On you Law Enforcement Losers!" one user wrote in response to the local news story. "I don't care what kind of policies or law is in place - She is 10 yrs Old for crying out loud! You don't Handcuff a non-combative 10 yr Old for one thing & you don't charge a 10 yr Old with Marijuana Possission - Period!"
Others agreed that the school had taken the right actions.
